All contacts with a counselor are confidential as directed by the ethics of the American School Counselor Association. This means that any information disclosed during your contact with the School Counselor will be kept confidential.

What Do School Counselors Do?

School Counselors teach guidance lessons in each classroom once a month, using the Elementary Guidance Curriculum objectives. The curriculum addresses the following areas:

*Understanding myself and others *Learning to make good decisions

*Learning about the world of work *Learning to take tests, study and set goals

*Getting along with others *Coping with personal problems

School Counselors help teachers with students who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral or academic problems.

*Counselors help teachers to develop behavior plans for students with behavior or social issues.

*Counselors assist teachers in brainstorming interventions for students who have academic difficulties.

*Counselors provide strategies for teachers to use when interacting with students with emotional issues.

School Counselors facilitate small group counseling.

Most groups last for 8-10 weeks and meet once a week during the school day. The following groups are offered as needed throughout the school year:

*Self-Regulation- A group for students who struggle with self-control and/or become easily frustrated.
We will explore different strategies that can be effective when we become dysregulated. This will
also include the impact it can have on our relationships with others and our ability to perform
academic tasks.

*Friendship/Social Skills-This group will focus on social development, i.e. things one needs to know
in order to get along with self and others. In this group students learn about recognizing and
expressing feelings, cooperating with others, assertiveness, and handling negative interactions with
peers. This group also gives students the opportunity to make some new friends within their age
group.

*Anxiety- A group for students who exhibit any of the following characteristics which interfere with
classroom activities and/or peer relations: thoughts and fears about the safety of self and others,
worries about things before they happen, constant worries about school, friends, or sports, afraid to
meet or talk to new people resulting in limited friendships, complaints of stomach aches or
headaches.

*Self-Esteem Group-This group will focus on exploring the wonderful qualities about ourselves,
discovering ways to feel confident about our actions, and assertiveness. This group also gives
students the opportunity to make some new friends within their grade level.

*Family Changes Group- A group for students that have undergone changes because of separation,
divorce, or remarriage. During these sessions I will strive to foster a better understanding of the
family unit. We will discuss the changes in the family structure, as well as the feelings and attitudes
we have about the changes. It is my goal to help the students develop a positive outlook concerning
the transitions that may occur in a family. I hope the experience gained will be helpful in coping with
future stresses.

School Counselors offer short-term individual counseling.

*Counselors meet with students individually to discuss personal issues.

*Counselors meet with students individually to help with issues that occur occasionally or one time.

School Counselors help families in need or crisis. These needs or crises could be financial, emotional or personal.

*Counselors find resources for families in need or in crisis.

*Counselors refer families to the appropriate agencies when they are in need or in crisis.

School Counselors initiate testing for Accelerated Education and Special Education as needed.